Kerttula praises Murkowski gay marriage support

Murkowski released a statement Wednesday encouraging the government to promote family values by allowing same-sex couples to marry. Murkowski is now the third GOP senator to come out in support of marriage equality.

Kerttula in February introduced to the Legislature a bill to add “sexual orientation, gender identity or expression” to the list of traits upon which businesses, unions and landlords cannot discriminate against people under Alaska state law.

In a statement released Wednesday, Kerttula praised the senator for defending families.

“The government has no business telling Alaskans or any Americans who they can and cannot marry,” the statement read. “I am proud of Senator Murkowski for being a leader in her caucus in defending the rights of Americans to build their families and formalize lasting commitments based on love without the government getting in the way.”

Alaska U.S. Sen. Mark Begich, a Democrat, released a formal statement in March also expressing his support for marriage equality.